More social media accounts blocked after Turkey LGBTQ raids

Turkish police detained dozens across the country Sunday in raids on LGBTQ groups and gay bars, part of what officials called the ‘Decade of the Family’ initiative championed by President Erdoğan. X and Instagram accounts belonging to Amnesty International Turkey, the Evrensel newspaper, Academics for Peace and more than a dozen LGBTQ and rights organizations were subsequently blocked following government requests, according to watchdog İFÖD.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the campaign aims to ‘protect our children, the institution of the family and social order’ and vowed ‘no tolerance’ for groups he characterized as criminal organizations. Kaos GL, whose offices were searched and executives detained, said prosecutors accused it of publishing ‘obscene’ content accessible to children.

Erdoğan has previously described Turkey's LGBTQ community as a ‘deviant movement’ of ‘perverts.’ Same-sex relations remain legal in Turkey, though the government's rhetoric and enforcement actions continue to target advocacy and visibility rather than the underlying conduct.

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